Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Jack Harris to Run in St. John's East?

A perfect storm seems to be developing for the NDP in the Newfoundland & Labrador riding of St. John's East. Former provincial NDP leader Jack Harris is rumoured to be announced shortly as the party's candidate in the upcoming federal election. Harris briefly served as MP for this riding after winning it in a 1987 by-election. He lost the subsequent general election in 1988, but went on to sit in the provincial legislature for over a decade as NDP leader. Harris would unquestionaby be a star candidate and given that Norman Doyle, the incumbent Conservative MP, is not seeking re-election, the NDP is perfectly positioned to benefit from Danny Williams' pledge to defeat Conservative candidates in his province.

If this pans out, I wonder if Desmond McGrath can be re-enticed to run for the NDP in Random-Burin-St. George's. I would also like to see the NDP make a serious play for Labrador. Particularly if they nominate star candidate Romeo Saganash in neighbouring Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, make an expected strong challenge in neighbouring Nunavut, and can pull out a strong contender to replace Pierre Ducasse in neighbouring Manicouagan. It could be a historic moment for the NDP in that it might actually be tactically effective to route part of the federal tour through the North.

Is he running outside of Newfoundland because he won't get anywhere in the province. Also, Us Newfoundlanders rarely vote NDP. Except once or twice have we elected an NDP member to the HoC. Jack Harris was the last in 1987 and he lost his seat the following year, 1988. Great star. How many seats did he win for the NDP as Leader of the NDP in NL? His own and one in Labrador.

Duh. I know where St. John's East is, lived there while in university.

You obviously didn't get what I was saying. Jack Harris was elected once to the HoC in Ottawa one year (1987) and lost the next (1998). He was also leader provincially and failed to do much to help the NDP with regard to getting anyone other than himself and someone in Labrador elected. He's far from a star candidate, more like broken goods.

I also like the NDPers so willing to ditch a great candidate for one irrelevant issue. Father Cod is as good as you're going to get when it comes to local champions of the working class and social justice. He is on the record as saying he would abstain from any votes in the HoC on abortion (which do not happen) and follow party policy as regards that matter. Yet he doesn't pass ideological purity test 3.1.2.6 section c, therefore let's keep him out of politics. Shoddy logic to me.

It is irrelevant when a) the right to abortion will never be voted on in the House of Commons and b) the candidate affirms that he will follow party policy on the matter (which is to vote in support of abortion or abstain).